Moçambican Roots, Rock, Reggae: 340ml at Unit 11

As a friend noted on Saturday, Unit 11 was for the night attended by a 'weird' crowd. It was a fair appraisal; disparate cliques and scene kids jostled like impermeable amoebas in front of an equally disparate collection of bands. Scarlet Hill started the show with a tight indie punch and a fatter sound than I expected from a youthful three-piece. They've found a solid support base; their audience was particularly eager to pocket their hands and watch with a half smile - the self-aware dance of those trying to appear 'in-the-know'. Habit To took to the stage next, but unfortunately I only caught what sounded like a Rage cover while I was outside eavesdropping on one guy's plans to be a billionaire in two years time, and I slunk in for their final song; a smoky, heavy piece.

Eventually 340ml, the ever amicable and bemusedly smiling four-piece reggae rockers, shuffled onto the stage. Their characteristic tight performance and atmospheric sound melted the barriers of the group dynamics in the crowd, and for the first time in a long time, the majority of the grinning, warm-eyed onlookers jived to the unabashedly repetitive lyrics and sonic euphoria. The band have a loose, unrestrained aesthetic on stage, ironically counterpointed by their pin-point precision and seemingly telekinetic 'feeling out' of each song that is always so much more impressive than the playing-to-the-timer feel of less experienced bands. If you haven't heard them, get your ears on some 340ml at your earliest convenience.


 Scarlet Hill

 


 Habit To

 


340ml